Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It occurs because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It is also important to know the symptoms, so you can identify whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can cause problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The destruction can happen over many months or even years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They also may need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and the kidneys aren’t able remove it in a proper manner.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as 4 liters a day.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
You should include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are good choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may consider limiting your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to choose the best medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.